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Labour appoints former doctor as by-election candidate

Before turning to politics Gillian Troughton used to work as a doctor Photo: ITV Border

A former hospital doctor has been appointed as Labour's candidate in the upcoming Copeland By-election.

Gillian Troughton, who was once a driver for St John's ambulance service, faces a tough battle for the West Cumbrian seat.

Troughton believes Labour winning Copeland would prevent the Conservatives from taking away public health services from the constituency:

It is an honour to have been selected as the Labour candidate for this crucial by-election in my home seat.

This election is a choice between allowing the Tories to strip NHS services away from Copeland, and sending them a message that it's unacceptable.

– Gillian Troughton, Labour candidate

According to her professional page online, Troughton worked as a junior doctor at Frimley Park and Kent & Canterbury hospitals, before becoming a school governor at Moresby Primary School in Whitehaven.

Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn has expressed his support for the party's choice.

Gillian is a local councillor with a strong track record of getting things done for her community. She has campaigned tirelessly to maintain local hospital services.

– Jeremy Corbyn, Labour leader

A Tory spokesperson described Troughton as "a Corbyn puppet" in a party "too divided and incompetent to stand up and and secure the future of Cumbria's industry and jobs".

If elected, Gillian Troughton will be replacing Jamie Reed, who announced he was stepping down as Labour MP to take up a position at the Sellafield nuclear power plant.